ITS takes pride in the planning and foresight that makes our office and data center run strong every day. We take initiative to minimize our impact on the environment though the configuration of our server racks and the lighting options we have chosen for our office.
In-Row Precision Cooling
In-row cooling utilizes a high capacity precision air conditioning unit to provide maximum cooling with peak efficiency. The in-row model allows ITS to implement row-based architecture for both intelligent cooling of the in-row hardware, as well a managing the humidity of the entire data center. The key design concept that makes this solution effective is the management of the hot air. The backs of both rows face each other creating the “Hot Aisle.” Heat rejection moves the hot air away from the hardware into the “hot aisle” where it is pulled in and cooled by an air conditioning module in an adjoining row. Cold air is blown through the server intakes pushing hot air through the back. Cooling units centered in each row then pull the hot air in, cool it and use it to complete the cycle again.
Monitoring of the temperature at the hardware air intake allows the cooling unit to ramp output up or down, maximizing efficiency. This is not a one size fits all solution. The cooling units are deployed within each row, which allows cooling units to be added as new rows developed. While the upfront cost of this solution is higher than traditional methods, it provides ITS with a long term savings on power consumption which will in turn benefit everyone.
Office Lighting
Recently, ITS switched office lighting to low voltage LED lighting. This lighting system is controlled by the network and is set on a schedule. We made this change in lighting in a conscious effort to conserve energy consumption in the office. As a result of this change, power consumption in the office decreased by about 20%.